Post by Salem6 on Apr 9, 2006 7:49:05 GMT
Serie A Week 33 - 8/4/06 (19.30 UK)
Ascoli 1 - 2 Inter
Ferrante pen 21 (A), Cruz pen 51 (I), Mihajlovic 56 (I)
Stadio Del Duca
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Inter recovered from their Euro exit with a victory at Ascoli sealed by Sinisa Mihajlovic, but Julio Cruz saw red.
The pressure was on Roberto Mancini and his players after they slumped out of the Champions League with a disappointing performance at Villarreal midweek. Along with the Coppa Italia, their only remaining target was second place in Serie A, but they faced a tricky trip to on-form Ascoli. Adriano, Ze Maria and the injured Juan Sebastian Veron were left at home, so Julio Ricardo Cruz and David Pizarro were given rare starts.
As promised, the Milan-based Inter fans did not travel for this game, but the ones based in the area did and hurled abuse at the side from the moment they stepped on to the pitch for the warm-up. There were also many banners noting: '20 years of humiliation,' 'Without honour or dignity' and 'Thanks a lot, you filthy mercenaries.'
Quagliarella's long-range effort was easily smothered early on, then Fini hooked down Quagliarella's assist inside the area, but he slipped and the chance went begging.
An Obafemi Martins volley with the inside of his right foot was straight at the goalkeeper, but the Nigerian was offside anyway. Moments later, a Santiago Solari effort was smothered at the second attempt by Coppola.
The referee pointed to the spot after 19 minutes because Quagliarella's shirt was tugged by Walter Samuel. It was only the slightest of pulls and he made the most of it, but former Inter striker Marco Ferrante converted and harked back to his old Torino-based 'bull horns' celebration.
The tension was high and Kily Gonzalez sparked a scuffle with a couple of Ascoli players.
Ferrante could've made it 2-0 soon after, but his angled drive was off target from a promising position.
Ascoli were having the better of the play and Del Grosso's run down the left flank set up Quagliarella for a shot that was charged down inside the area.
Solari's spectacular volley from the D was wide of the upright, then a good move between Pizarro, Kily Gonzalez and Martins saw a solid save on the Nigerian's shot.
Ascoli were always dangerous on the counter-attack and Fini drilled inches wide of the top corner. At the other end, Cruz ballooned over the bar to waste a promising opportunity.
Foggia curled well wide and a long-range Esteban Cambiasso effort was deflected out for a corner kick.
Coppola performed a splendidly confident save on Solari's curling free kick as it moved its way towards the top corner of the net. Cruz was stopped for an incorrect offside position in first half stoppages.
Mancini made two changes at half-time, introducing Sinisa Mihajlovic and Luis Figo for Samuel and Kily Gonzalez.
Inter were also handed a penalty five minutes after the restart. Martins ran into the area and goalkeeper Coppola mis-timed his slide, taking out the striker without getting hold of the ball. Cruz took the spot-kick and buried it under the crossbar with his right foot to draw the Nerazzurri level.
Cruz volleyed a Pizarro cross over at the back post and the confidence was now with Inter, who stepped up the pace after that goal.
Mancini also proved his substitution was correct, as Mihajlovic curled in one of his trademark free kicks from a few metres outside the box that dipped mercilessly at the near post. In a pointed gesture, the former Lazio man ran straight over to his Coach to shake his hand.
Ferrante wanted a penalty for Javier Zanetti's handling offence, but it was clearly involuntary. The striker was at the centre of attention again moments later, when Mihajlovic elbowed him in the back in an off the ball incident not witnessed by the referee. He made way for Igor Budan immediately afterwards.
A Cruz diving header into the ground looped over the goalkeeper and thumped the crossbar. Martins' follow-up was well saved and Pizarro drilled the third attempt off target.
Coppola performed a spectacular double save on Mihajlovic's free kick and the Martins follow-up from close range.
Mihajlovic was devastating from set-pieces and thumped the crossbar directly from the corner flag.
However, Inter had to end the game in 10 men after a foolish error from Cruz. He was booked for a foul on Fini and then kicked away the ball with a sarcastic applause, prompting the referee to show a second yellow card. This means the Argentine will be suspended for the Milan derby.
Ascoli were fired up in the final minutes after this incident and went close when Toldo smothered a diving header from substitute Mimmo Giampa', but Inter emerged with the hard-fought win.
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Ascoli: Coppola; Comotto, Paci, Domizzi, Del Grosso; Foggia, Guana, Parola (Giampa' 88), Fini (Cristiano 76); Quagliarella, Ferrante (Budan 66)
Inter: Toldo; J Zanetti, Cordoba, Samuel (Mihajlovic 46), Burdisso; Solari (Materazzi 89), Pizarro, Cambiasso, Kily Gonzalez (Figo 46); Cruz, Martins
Ref: Farina
Sent off: Cruz 86 (I)
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